“A classic one-night stand is all. He left town the next day. I never saw him again.”
“Why didn’t you tell me he was Thunder Morgan?”
Karen huffed. “I didn’t want you trailin’ after him, tryin’ to find him. Hopin’ your famous daddy would fix your life. You were born to be trash, just like I was.”
An anvil settled in Amber’s gut. Why did Karen still get to her? Amber knew better, but still, this was her mother. No matter how old she got, how far away she went, she still wanted this woman’s approval.
Time to face facts. She’d never get it.
“He could have made your life a lot easier, Mama. He could have paid child support.”
“Nope. I couldn’t do that.”
“Why not? You were entitled to it. We were entitled to it.”
“It’s a long story, and I can’t get into it right now. I need a drink.”
“Damn it!” Amber pounded her fist onto the table.
“Ouch. That hurts my ears.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck, Mama! I’ve got problems of my own I need to work out, and that’s why I’m here. My first problem is you. Why didn’t you tell me my father was Thunder Morgan? And why didn’t you tell him he had a daughter?”
“Damn it, Amber! You don’t understand what you’re talkin’ about.”
“I understand that I had a father, a father who never knew about me. A father who could have made both our lives easier. Now you owe me an explanation. Why didn’t you go to him?”
“Because he would have killed us both!”
Chapter Fourteen
“Oh, it’s you.”
Harper grabbed Blake Buchanan’s collar. “Where is Amber, damn it?”
“How the fuck should I know? You’re crazy, man. Let me go.”
He clenched his teeth, the anger for Blake and the fear for Amber settling in his gut. “You’re still blackmailing her, aren’t you, you piece of filth?”
“I backed off, just like I told you I would. I haven’t talked to her in a few days, not since the day you called me.”
“Judy says she left town. Took a leave of absence. Now where the hell is she?” Harper pushed Blake into the hotel room and down onto the bed.
“You caught me off guard, but I’ll warn you, we’re pretty evenly matched,” Blake said, massaging his neck.
“Not as mad as I am, we aren’t. Where the hell is she?”
“I told you, I haven’t got a clue. What do you care anyway? You told me yourself she wasn’t your girlfriend.”
“She’s not, but that doesn’t mean I’m not concerned.” Concerned? He was downright worried. Sick to his stomach worried.
I miss her.
Damned inner voice. No, he didn’t miss her. He was worried. That was all.
“I can have Paul Donetto here in a couple hours. All I have to do is say the word.”
“You’re bluffing,” Blake said.